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Looking for something to do? We have suggestions ranging from a theater's steak dinner fundraiser to an art show opening, an acting boot camp, "French Connection Day" festivities, and a Wheaton Pops salute to Judy Garland and Broadway.
'FRENCH CONNECTION DAY'
WHERE: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9
COST & INFO: $5 parking; www.cantigny.org, 630-668-5161
ABOUT: Cantigny Park's "French Connection Day" goes Francophile with a 23-foot Eiffel Tower, music, street performers, outdoor market, storybook favorite Madeline, and wine tasting and French food at Le Jardin restaurant.
ACTING BOOT CAMP
WHERE: 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs
WHEN: Aug. 15 to 30
COST & INFO: $40, applicable to seven-play subscription for new season; register at 708-246-4340, ext. 221, www.theatreofwesternsprings.com
ABOUT: Offering a rare stage training opportunity, Theatre of Western Springs invites people 18 and older of any experience level to participate in an acting workshop called Studio. The two-week class is one of the requirements to be part of the group of volunteers called "actives," who can be cast in future productions. It's taught by TWS Executive Artistic Director Eddie Sugarman. Once a person has taken Studio, purchased a season subscription and volunteered backstage or front-of-house, one is eligible for casting.
WHEATON POPS' GARLAND SALUTE
WHERE: Glenbard South High School Auditorium, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8
COST & INFO: $32; 630-790-1430, www.wheatonsymphony.org
ABOUT: Favorites from Broadway musicals paired with Judy Garland songs sung by soprano Joan Ellison will cap this summer's Wheaton Pops series. Kevin McMahon conducts the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra program. In addition to Garland hits, the concert offers selections from "Showboat" and "Jesus Christ Superstar," along with Cole Porter gems.
ART OPENING
WHERE: Elmhurst Artists' Guild gallery at Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave.
WHEN: Reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; show runs now to Sept. 10
COST & INFO: Free admission each first Friday; www.elmhurstartistsguild.org
ABOUT: A reception celebrates a solo exhibit by abstract oil painter Abbie Ansburg of Elmhurst, whose works have been used on NBC television shows "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Fire." Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Ansburg said the show's title, "The Spaces in Between," refers to both physical space and the perception of time as actual space.
STEAK DINNER TO FUND THEATER
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Park by Westmont Community Center, 105 E. Richmond St.
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8
COST & INFO: $20 for first steak dinner, $10 for each additional one; 630-969-8080; www.pvpnwestmont.com/steak-feed-fundraiser
ABOUT: The Steak Feed Dinner is the annual fundraiser for the Progressive Village Performance Network, a performing arts troupe that operates in association with the Westmont Park District. The meal will include an 8-ounce New York strip steak, baked potato, roll and beverage. A menu offering burgers or hot dogs costs $6.